Chris Rock Almost Played George Costanza on Seinfeld

[Stress Welker]

http://www.complex.com/pop-culture/...+06+2015&utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social

George Costanza, known to Jason Alexander to some who respect government names far too much, appeared on The Howard Stern Showto discuss the Seinfeld role he can't and never will escape. You'd think he'd have run out of things to say by now, but he offered up some intriguing, new information about casting for his iconic part. The most notable person up for the role (at least with hindsight) was Chris Rock. But Larry Miller, Brad Hall, David Alan Grier, Nathan Lane, Steve Buscemi, Paul Shaffer, and Danny DeVito all went out for it. Rock, Shaffer, and DeVito were all offered the part before turning it down.

It's hard to imagine Rock as George Costanza, but it would have added some diversity to the show (the one thing the classic sitcom was missing) in addition to his then-bubbling comedic greatness. But we're not going to get sucked into FOMO because Alexander obviously knocked it out of the park while wearing a cotton Yankees jersey.

"All I had were a couple of pages of the script, which read like a Woody Allen film," Alexander said of his audition tape. "Hence I did the glasses and as blatant as a Woody Allen as I could do. A couple weeks later I got a call from NBC to screen test with Jerry"

 

[Uncle_Ruckus]

That was never gonna happen. Ever.

 

[MartyMcFly]

That was never gonna happen. Ever.

He and jerry are boys so it could've. Plus again it says he turned the role down. Would've been a completely different show but then again I feel like I'm selling Chris short on that note.

 

[Uncle_Ruckus]

He and jerry are boys so it could've. Plus again it says he turned the role down. Would've been a completely different show but then again I feel like I'm selling Chris short on that note.

Show took place in NY and barely had any coloured people in it. I feel like those types of shows are racist. Friends too.

 

[MartyMcFly]

Show took place in NY and barely had any coloured people in it. I feel like those types of shows are racist. Friends too.

I think that's a good discussion. I don't think it's racist as much as ignorant or stupid. Or both. But I also realize that Seinfeld and friends aren't trying to portray the real world either. It's heightened reality so the shyt doesn't bug me that much. Now if they were trying to say "this is how the world is" and they did that that's different.

Chris could've did it and he was a bigger name at the time because of his comedy and his guest roles and I think he was on SNL or about to be. And again jerry is his man so I don't see it as far fetched that he'd want his man to be in his show

 

[Uno]

It would of been weird seeing Chris Rock as George.

 

[steadyrighteous]

I think that's a good discussion. I don't think it's racist as much as ignorant or stupid. Or both. But I also realize that Seinfeld and friends aren't trying to portray the real world either. It's heightened reality so the shyt doesn't bug me that much. Now if they were trying to say "this is how the world is" and they did that that's different.

Chris could've did it and he was a bigger name at the time because of his comedy and his guest roles and I think he was on SNL or about to be. And again jerry is his man so I don't see it as far fetched that he'd want his man to be in his show

And isn't one of Senfield's closest friends that comedian Mario Joyner? Maybe in his (and Larry's) mind, his best friend was a black dude, then the network came through like



Doesn't matter either way, Chris Rock is that dude, but Jason Alexander added another dimension to the show that Chris wouldn't have been able to bring. It would have been a completely different show.

 

[The Watcher]

And isn't one of Senfield's closest friends that comedian Mario Joyner? Maybe in his (and Larry's) mind, his best friend was a black dude, then the network came through like



Doesn't matter either way, Chris Rock is that dude, but Jason Alexander added another dimension to the show that Chris wouldn't have been able to bring. It would have been a completely different show.

Costanza needed to be a short, fat, bald loser. I don't think I could've believed Chris Rock in that role.

 

[MartyMcFly]

And isn't one of Senfield's closest friends that comedian Mario Joyner? Maybe in his (and Larry's) mind, his best friend was a black dude, then the network came through like



Doesn't matter either way, Chris Rock is that dude, but Jason Alexander added another dimension to the show that Chris wouldn't have been able to bring. It would have been a completely different show.

Breh lol it says Chris turned it down. The network didn't say "nah" it says he said nah. I'd love to hear his side of the story

Also George Wallace (black comedian) was jerry's best man at his wedding.

 

[steadyrighteous]

Breh lol it says Chris turned it down. The network didn't say "nah" it says he said nah. I'd love to hear his side of the story

Also George Wallace (black comedian) was jerry's best man at his wedding.

Didn't read and/or listen to OP

And yeah you right, George Wallace is his mans. I knew it was one of those dudes.

 

[Bernie Madoff]

Show took place in NY and barely had any coloured people in it. I feel like those types of shows are racist. Friends too.

What about Red Jetta?

 

[MartyMcFly]

Didn't read and/or listen to OP

And yeah you right, George Wallace is his mans. I knew it was one of those dudes.

 

[feelosofer]

Naw Chris Rock was too young and too raw (and arguably too hip), he did the right thing turning it down. David Alan Grier would have been interesting but Jason Alexander was pitch perfect.

 

[Paper Boi]

http://globalgrind.com/2014/01/23/black-people-who-were-on-seinfeld-list-photos/

 

[nyknick]

Chris Rock and Larry Miller are Seinfeld's boys so he probably gave them auditions but I don't for a second believe the network offered Chris Rock the role. They wouldn't have a show where two out of four main cast members don't know how to act.